CNC Controller

MACHINE CONTROLLERS
Controllers generally stand alone near the CNC machine. They act as a translator between your control computer and your CNC machine.



Generally, they add quite a bit of cost to a CNC machine as well. Controllers can cost anywhere from $1000-$20,000 or more depending on their sophistication.



EXPLAINATION OF MACHINE CONTROLLERS

Machine Controllers take your machining instructions from your G-Code and converts the G-Code into motion. You are off to the races. The controller interprets the signal pulses from your Control Computer and instructs the machine to move.



The Machine Controller is made up of various electrical parts. Remember earlier that I said some electronic junkies flock to CNC. This is why. Machine controllers can be built if you are savvy with a soldering iron. I myself am not. I personally always default to ordering up a Machine Controller from one of my sources.



Controller builders to me are electronic gods. They mix power sources, match up Amp, Volts, etc into the item I need. Generally, you can pick the number of Axis you want before they build the controller. For example, if you are building a CNC Plasma Cutter you may want a two-axis controller. Possibly a three-axis controller if you have a Torch Height Control. If you have a milling machine or a wood router in mind, then a three axis is your ticket. If you want to machine with a rotary axis, then you need a four-axis controller. So on and so forth.



Here are some example controller prices
Here are some prices you might see in the marketplace. Most come with motor systems and cable as well. Really, you purchase a whole kit at once if you go this route. The other way to do it is to buy components and assemble it yourself. I wouldn’t suggest this for the beginner.



Prices
2 Axis – $1000–$3000 - Movement in the X and Y axis, dependent on the size of motors you order

3 Axis – $1500–$4000 - Movement in the X, Y and Z axis, dependent on the size of motors you order

4 Axis – $2000–$6000 - Movement in the X, Y, Z and A axis, dependent on the size of motors you order



Note: The A-axis is the rotational axis. Why is it called that? I don’t know. It is also sometimes called the B-axis. I have even heard it called the W-axis. A-axis is the rotational axis around the X-axis. B-axis is the rotational axis around the Y-axis.













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